Alleged MS-13 Mass Murderer Arrested in Virginia Amid Shifts in State ICE Cooperation
RICHMOND, Va. — Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez, a 27-year-old Salvadoran national and alleged member of the notorious MS-13 gang, was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Virginia, according to sources within the Department of Homeland Security. Hernandez, who reportedly admitted to participating in five murders in his home country, was taken into custody just weeks after Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger issued an executive order ending state and local law enforcement cooperation with ICE.
Hernandez, known by the aliases “Demente” and “Crazy,” is accused of committing multiple homicides, including two in which he allegedly shot members of the rival 18th Street gang in the chest and head. These claims emerged from ICE and DHS sources who confirmed the arrest to Fox News Digital. The arrest underscores ongoing federal efforts to detain individuals with violent criminal histories, even as some states reconsider their collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
Virginia’s recent policy shift, which repealed a prior order from former Governor Glenn Youngkin mandating cooperation with ICE, sparked debate among law enforcement and immigration advocates. Governor Spanberger’s directive instructs state and local agencies to cease assisting ICE with detainers and immigration enforcement actions, a move that critics argue could complicate efforts to remove dangerous criminals from communities.
Despite the change in policy, ICE agents successfully conducted the operation to detain Hernandez, highlighting the agency’s commitment to pursuing individuals accused of serious crimes. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency continues to prioritize arrests of gang members and violent offenders, particularly those linked to transnational criminal organizations like MS-13.
MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is a violent gang with roots in Central America that has been responsible for numerous homicides and criminal activities across the United States and abroad. The gang’s notoriety has made it a focal point for federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which have collaborated extensively to dismantle its operations.
Hernandez’s arrest in Virginia comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement policies nationwide. Advocates for immigrant rights have criticized aggressive ICE tactics, while law enforcement officials emphasize the importance of cooperation to ensure public safety. The balance between these perspectives continues to shape the evolving landscape of immigration and criminal justice policy.
The Department of Homeland Security has reaffirmed its mission to protect communities by targeting individuals who pose threats due to violent criminal conduct. The arrest of Hernandez illustrates the agency’s ongoing efforts to remove dangerous offenders, even in jurisdictions where local cooperation with ICE has been curtailed.
For more information on federal immigration enforcement priorities, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement page. Updates on gang-related investigations can be found on the FBI’s official website.
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